Protesting for your—and Iraq's

Social justice news
February 2003

After clemency in Illinois, will other states follow?
February 11 is World Day of the Sick
Pax Christi USA demands more time for UN weapons inspections
Protesting for your—and Iraq's—health
U.S. Catholic bishops still urge restraint on Iraq
U.S. religious ask to meet with Bush, slow war

Protesting for your—and Iraq's—health
Believe it or not, protesting may be good for you. Despite the possible dangers of being conked on the head by an errant sign or being roughed up by the police, it turns out that protesting can actually improve a person's psychological well being, according to a study conducted by psychologists at the University of Sussex in England. That, in turn, helps overcome stress, pain, anxiety and depression.

So with that in mind, check out the following opportunities to express your disapproval about the impending war against Iraq. If these protests don't improve your own health, at least they might affect the health and lives of millions of Iraqis.

Emergency demonstrations are being planned across the country for February 5, the expected 'go date' for declaration of war against Iraq after Secretary of State Colin Powell's address to the United Nations during which he will share 'proof' of Iraq's lack of cooperation with the U.N. weapons inspectors. A large-scale protest in Times Square is being organized by International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism). For more information, visit www.internationalanswer.org.

New York City also will the site of another anti-war protest the weekend of February 14-15, to coincide with similar assemblies in London, Paris, and other cities around the world. An all-day teach-in will be held February 14, followed by a massive, midday event on the 15th. For more information, contact www.unitedforpeace.org.

In conjunction with the Valentine's Day weekend events, the Shalom Center is organizing a 'Funeral Procession for the Not-Yet-Dead' who will be killed in this war on February 16. Protesters will carry coffins to houses of worship,public monuments to the dead from past wars, or local cemeteries. For more information, contact www.shalomctr.org.

If you think the U.S. should be sending Iraq food, not bombs, mail a packet of rice to President Bush to let your opinion be known. Some 250-500 packets a day are being received at the White House, according to organizers at the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center (www.rmpjc.org). The Rice for Peace project is reminiscent of a similar one in the 1950s, in which tens of thousands of people sent small bags of rice to President Eisenhower to discourage him from attacking China and rather send food during a famine. A package with a half-cup of rice requires $1.29 in postage. This is a great project to do with children.

Finally, if you haven't already signed the Iraq Peace Pledge/Iraq Pledge of Resistance being distributed by a number of peace communities, go to www.paxchristiusa.org and add your name to those who publicly oppose the economic and bombing against Iraq (Peace Pledge) and/or promise to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience if the U.S. sends combat troops into Iraq or other escalates the war (Pledge of Resistance). The pledge also includes guidelines for nonviolent actions.

Looking ahead: A Women's March for Peace is scheduled for March 8, International Women's Day, in Washington D.C. For more information, contact Kristi Laughlin at Global Exchange at 415-255-7291. Also Mothers Acting Up is encouraging moms to celebrate Mother's Day by speaking out on the theme "Protecting Our Global Family" at peace marches and parades. For more information, contact Juliana Forbes of Mothers Acting Up at JulianaForbes@aol.com.—Heidi Schlumpf

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